The Minnesota Vikings are trying to get back above .500 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night. They received excellent news on this front when they learned about running back Aaron Jones' potential return. Unfortunately, they can't yet say the same for their young quarterback, who was Minnesota's starter entering the 2025 season.

The Minnesota Vikings faced the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday with Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh's team squaring off against his former Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy's team.

J.J. McCarthy, out since Week 2 with a high ankle sprain, might finally be ready to return to the No. 1 QB spot. He's healthy enough that the Vikings have made him the emergency quarterback against the Eagles and Chargers, so barring a setback, one would imagine he'll be ready by Nov. 2.

Despite that, it sounds like the long-term and short-term plan is for McCarthy to be the guy, with Adam Schefter of ESPN stating that he expects him back sometime in the near future.

McCarthy is unavailable to play for the Minnesota Vikings Thursday, so veteran quarterback Carson Wentz will take over again.

Vikings QB depth chart: Where Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer rank with J.J. McCarthy injured originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.